Which countries are in the Commonwealth? – The Sun | The Sun

THE Commonwealth Games bring together nations across the world to compete in a variety of sporting events.

Formed after the decolonisation of the British Empire, the Commonwealth of Nations is a global political association.

What is the Commonwealth of Nations?

The Commonwealth of Nations is made up of 56 member states of which a majority are former territories of Britain.

In the Balfour Declaration at the 1926 Imperial Conference, Britain and the other nations agreed they were "equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs, though united by common allegiance to the Crown, and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations".

The name Commonwealth was officially adopted to describe the nations as a community.

Countries from across the globe, including Asia, Africa and Europe, all sign up to the same values and principles, acknowledging the shared history they have together.

Queen Elizabeth II is the head of the Commonwealth Nations, regardless of the different countries' constitutions.

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After the Second World War in her Christmas Day speech in 1953, The Queen said the Commonwealth was:  "An entirely new conception – built on the highest qualities of the Spirit of Man: friendship, loyalty, and the desire for freedom and peace".

The member states were established as "free and equal" and inclusion is voluntary so members have joined and left throughout the years.

The website states is is a "voice for small and vulnerable states".

A central part of the Commonwealth is the Commonwealth Secretariat – an organisation that helps to support member countries to gain democracy, development and peace.

What countries are in the Commonwealth?

Any country is welcome to join the Commonwealth of Nations, regardless of it's past colonial links to the British Empire.

Members may join, leave, and re-join freely, as it is a voluntary connection.

The states involved in the Commonwealth range from Africa nations and countries in the Americas, such as Barbados, the Bahamas and Belize.

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European countries are also free to join but currently there are only three members in Europe – the UK, Cyprus and Malta

Former territories of Britain which have achieved independence make up a large number of Commonwealth Nations.

The nations have political independence but are supported by the 80 Commonwealth organisations which aim to aid democracy, development and peace.

The last country to become a member was Rwanda in 2009, although Gambia and Maldives re-joined in 2018 and 2020 respectively.

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Bangladesh
• Barbados
• Belize
• Botswana
• Brunei
• Cameroon
• Canada
• Cyprus
• Dominica
• Eswatini
• Fiji
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Grenada
• Guyana
• India
• Jamaica
• Kenya
• Kiribati
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Nauru
• New Zealand
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Papua New Guinea
• Rwanda
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
• Samoa
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• Singapore
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• Sri Lanka
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Tuvalu
• Uganda
• United Kingdom
• Vanatu
• Zambia

Who is the head of the Commonwealth?

When Her Majesty became Queen in 1952, she also became the head of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Her role has no formal functions, but it is recognised as being one of great symbolic significance and importance.

Queen Elizabeth throughout her time on the throne has appeared at events celebrating the nations, such as Commonwealth Day and visited member countries.

Due to ill health, the Queen has passed many duties on to Prince Charles, including asking him to attend 2022's Commonwealth Day service in her place.

In 2018, Prince Charles was appointed to be the Queen's successor at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

Although the role is non-hereditary and does not need to be held by the British monarch, it has followed the royal line of succession since it's creation.

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There is nothing to say that the role must go to the Royal Heir or anyone in the British Royal Family.

Some Commonwealth heads of government have previously said they believe the role should go with the Crown.

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